Our October North Van PAC meeting featured a presentation by on emergency preparedness, both family emergency preparedness and school preparations. I considered our family relatively prepared for emergencies but this presentation tells me I have work left to do. In particular it helped me think more about what we should do in the event of an earthquake rather than what I might need to have.
Some key things I learned:
- Once a quake has passed, stay where you are. Don't rush to the school to get your kids. The schools will look after the children and will only release students once they are told the area is safe. A parents first responsibility is to ensure the home they would return to is safe. Then listed to the radio to find out if the route is safe to walk to the school to get the kid. Power lines could be down on the roads, fires raging etc and the kids will only be released if it is safe.
- The schools are looking after the kids, the neighbours are not welcome and will be locked out. Schools are not emergency shelters
- Don't flush your toilets as the sewers may be broken.
- The bridges could be closed for many days. Have enough cash to pay the entrepreneurs.
- The emergency response routes are for emergency vehicles only. Stay off the roads!
- The schools should conduct emergency release drills every two years to get everyone familiar with the system. If the PAC has provided emergency equipment or supplies then those should be included in the drill so the staff know what is there and how to use it.
- The North Shore has a very comprehensive emergency plan and every school has a plan. The North Shore Emergency Management Office have lots of resources and offer free workshops.
More Info
North Shore Emergency Management Offices
North Vancouver School District Emergency Preparedness
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